-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- `` It 's the most wonderful time of the year . ''

That 's what Andy Williams sang 50 years ago , and for some , the song rings true . For others , left cold by carols and gift wrap , urgings to `` be of good cheer '' can be devilishly hard to escape .

Hard , that is , if you stick to your holiday routine . But what if you leave it all behind ? Plenty of small-group escorted tours are still taking bookings for December , and if you 're a solo traveler it 's especially easy to snap up an available spot .

Whether you 're constitutionally immune to the holiday spirit , or just not feeling it this year , a few new faces and jingle-bell-free surroundings are bound to give you a boost .

Here 's a sampling of tours with open spaces for 2013 , as of this writing -- some with last-minute deals for travel in the coming weeks .

Around Turkey in 12 days

The real St. Nick hailed from Anatolia , the Asian portion of modern-day Turkey , which is nothing at all like the North Pole . The Christmas Turkey tour drops in on the saint 's home town as well as some of the country 's biggest draws , including the Blue Mosque in Istanbul , the `` fairy chimneys '' of Cappadocia and the shores of Gallipoli . From $ 1,899 , not including international airfare , visa , entrance fees , and tips . December 18-29 ; 1-866-377-6147 .

Sand , Sea and Souks

Here , where the Sahara meets the Atlantic , you 'll trade bargain-hunting in a crowded mall for haggling at a busy souk -LRB- marketplace -RRB- . The Best of Morocco tour visits the exotic cities of Fez and Marrakech , as well as Roman ruins at Volubilis . It will also have you trekking by camel to stay in a Berber desert camp and admiring the ocean in Essaouira . From $ 1,279 , not including international airfare , visa , departure transfer , most lunches and dinners , and tips . December 23-January 6 ; 1-855-444-9110 .

Rivers and temples

Ready for a change of pace ? You 'll find it in more ways than one on the Laos & Cambodia Explorer tour floating slowly down the Mekong River . Witness daily life in Laos ' Luang Prabang , a UNESCO World Heritage Site that blends traditional Lao and colonial French architecture ; fly on to Cambodia to tour the legendary Angkor temples . $ 2,874 with promo code -LRB- given on website -RRB- ; does not include international flights , visa , meals other than breakfast , or tips . December 21-January 3 ; 1-800-663-5132 .

Mayan Mystique

This tour of the Yucatán Peninsula starts and ends in Cancún , but its focus lies in culture , not cabanas . In addition to exploring Mayan ruins at Uxmal and Chichén Itzá , your agenda includes the museums of Mérida and a once-functioning hacienda . You 'll also hit the beaches in Tulúm and Playa del Carmen . From $ 1,799 ; does not include international flights , dinners , some lunches , or tips . December 21-30 ; 1-888-800-4100 .

Wonders of the West

The American West boasts majestic scenery and remarkable cities . Why choose between these experiences ? Instead take a tour that meanders from San Francisco 's Coit Tower to the towering sequoias of Yosemite ; from the bright lights of Las Vegas to the shimmering sunsets of the Grand Canyon . $ 2,999 ; does not include transport to California , most meals , or tips . December 21-January 4 ; 1-888-800-4100 .

New Year 's on ice

The Harbin Ice Festival in northeast China gives this tour a dazzling , color-saturated twist . After taking in sights like the Great Wall , Beijing 's Forbidden City and the terra-cotta warriors of Xi'an , you 'll fly to Harbin and ring in 2014 with a view of the festival 's gorgeous ice sculptures , illuminated with a rainbow of lights and traditional paper lanterns . The next day , try the ice luge or other amusements at Ice and Snow World , the festival 's theme park . From $ 2,299 , not including international airfare , visa , entrance fees and tips . December 23-January 2 ; 1-866-377-6147 .

Ski the Tyrol

This Alpine ski and snowboarding getaway run by Topdeck Travel , which specializes in tours for adults under 40 , lets you learn some downhill skills or practice those you 've got . Get cozy in the Austrian village of Kirchdorf , where the day 's outdoor activities end with the tradition of après-ski , also known as nightlife . During Christmas week , day trips to the Christmas markets of Salzburg and Innsbruck are optional at additional cost . $ 749 ; does not include international airfare , transfers from airport , ski pass , equipment rental , or meals other than breakfast and two dinners . December 21-28 or December 28-January 4 ; 1-800-607-1399 .

Costa Rica on the go

You might not need a New Year 's gym membership after this active tropical getaway . Hit the ground -- or rather , rapids -- running with a whitewater rafting trip , followed up by rainforest hikes and kayaking through mangroves . Then enjoy well-earned relaxation in hot springs and mud baths . $ 2098 ; does not include international airfare , some meals , or tips . December 28-January 4 ; 1-800-488-8483 .

Climb Kilimanjaro

For a truly epic voyage , splurge on the Snows of Kilimanjaro tour , an ascent of the highest peak in Africa . Your first day will be spent acclimatizing in Arusha National Park ; from there it 's four to six hours of hiking a day , with arrival at the summit timed for sunrise where possible . Though the climb is tough , groups have often included septuagenarians , and tour operators boast a 97 % summit success rate . Plus you 'll travel in relative comfort with private igloos and porters to carry all but your day pack . $ 6,495 ; does not include international flights , some tips or a sleeping bag , which is recommended . December 19-28 ; 1-800-554-7016 .

Trekking in Patagonia

Snow-capped mountains , glaciers and sparkling lakes : Patagonia is a breathtaking wilderness at the southern tip of the world . And with some serious hiking involved , this trip may leave you breathless in more ways than one -- it 's recommended for the physically fit . Your outdoors time is bookended with stays in Santiago , Chile , and Buenos Aires , and the trip mixes basic camping with hotel stays . $ 3,863 ; does not include international airfare , some lunches and dinners , or tips . December 22-31 ; 1 - 800-970-7299 .

If you could go anywhere this December holiday season , where would you go and why ? Please share your thoughts in the comments section below .

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Visit the real St. Nick 's hometown in Anatolia , Turkey

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Trek the national parks of the Western United States

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Spend your Christmas holiday hiking up Mount Kilimanjaro

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Ring in the New Year at the Harbin Ice Festival in Northeast China